Apple's new iPhones simultaneously aim high, low

The camera, called iSight, has "auto image stabilization," which helps avoid blurry pictures, and a slow-motion option for video. A "burst mode" can take 10 frames per second as long as you hold your finger on the shutter, then find the best one in your camera roll.

The 5S's biggest innovation, though, may be in how it's unlocked. Instead of relying on a four-digit code to gain access to the device, 5S users will have the option of allowing the smartphone to memorize their fingerprints instead. The 5S contains a thin scanner, called "Touch ID," inside the home button on the phone that automatically recognizes a user's selected fingerprint. The fingerprint scanner also can be tied to Apple's iTunes and apps store to remove the need to type in passwords to access those services, too.

In a nod to privacy concerns, Apple said the copies of the fingerprints won't be stored in its own data centers.

Analysts believe the fingerprint scanner eventually could open up a new source of revenue for Apple if the company is able to work out deals to use the technology to automatically process payments made when people are shopping on their iPhones and iPads.